As a recent graduate, armed with a catalogue of up-to-date
theoretical knowledge in your back pocket, you have the unique ability to solve
problems that even veterans of the game might have trouble with. However, your
first networking event can be a bit daunting.
Networking is a vehicle that can potentially accelerate your
career faster than anything else. However, you need to take the correct
approach from the outset. Here are the dos and don'ts of networking as a
graduate student.
Socialise
While your main aim for the evening might be to speak with the top
dog at a networking event, that doesn’t mean you need to go in all guns
blazing. Remember, this is a cocktail event and you are here to socialise first
and foremost. Solidifying working relationships should be natural, not forced.
Be genuine and approachable
To ensure you have the right approach to the night, try to connect
with people on a personal level. People respond to passion, so approach your
colleagues on a common ground. The more compelling and believable the
information you share, the more likely they will be to respond with the same
enthusiasm. They may even remember you by the association you create: “Joe is
passionate about charity in Brazil and studies tax accountancy.”
Be specific
When you do manage to lock down your ideal target – such as an
executive of a top-tier firm – it’s important to be genuine as well as
specific. The typical day-to-day role of an executive often means they are
thinking about any number of things at one time, ranging from the present state
of their business to forecasting several years in advance. It’s safe to say
that their thought processes are in a big-picture capacity.
Create a memorable impression by providing them with something
tangible to consider. Are you looking for an internship over the summer break
or a graduate position? What is it you can offer them, and how might they
benefit from accepting your proposal? Whatever it may be, ensure you arrive
prepared and capitalise on your moment.
Circulate
You might have a few industry heavyweights in your sights at the
start of the night, but that doesn’t mean you should exclude any connections
that aren't the top dogs. A diverse network of connections – consisting of a
range of job titles, industries and locations – could offer opportunities for
your career that you never quite envisioned. Remember the old adage: “It’s not
what you know but who you know.” You just never know how or how well people at
a networking event are connected.
Follow through
Once you have made a lasting impression, it’s important to enforce
your credibility with the follow-up. If you have locked in a proposal or a
catch-up over coffee, delivering on that commitment acts as a guarantor for
your reputation. A strong reputation in the industry can do wonders in building
the confidence others have in your abilities. Reputation is lasting and can
offer you rewards well beyond one night’s interaction.
A successful evening of networking can have immediate as well as
long-term benefits for your tax career. As long as you enter the night with
enthusiasm and a firm approach in mind, it could be what sets your career in
motion.
Give yourself the edge with free Student Membership
If you are a tertiary education student, The Tax Institute can help you progress in your career journey.
Find out about Student Membership.
If you are a tertiary education student, The Tax Institute can help you progress in your career journey.
Find out about Student Membership.
